Contributing kindness

There is no official figure for the number of volunteers currently in Yushu but Li said dozens of grassroots organizations have contacted him about the ongoing relief operation. "Most of them also went to Sichuan after the earthquake in 2008," he said.

More than one million volunteers went to help Sichuan recover following the disaster, according to a report by Sun Yat-sen University's institute for civil society. Although the donations and supplies provided by grassroots organizations have not yet been officially calculated, the report estimated the aid has totaled at least 1 billion yuan.

Grassroots charitable organizations also provide vital medical and psychological support to victims, the report added.

However, volunteer groups continue to face serious challenges in disaster zones such as Yushu, chiefly from a lack of resources and, sometimes, professional experience, said the Sun Yat-sen University research.

Although the government approves the efforts of volunteers, experts have urged authorities to launch further regulations and supportive policies for charities.